EPAL Founds Its First International Academy

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY--(Marketwired - Mar 27, 2014) - European Pallet Association e. V. (EPAL) forms the first international "EPAL ACADEMY" in Düsseldorf. The launch is planned for the beginning of June 2014. The unique pallet institution will train licensees, suppliers and users. The aim is to expand knowledge of the consistently high quality of EPAL euro pallets and of the use of pallets in the largest open exchange pool worldwide. As a centre of excellence, the academy also promotes transnational exchanges of experience.

"We have received signals from the market that there is a need for further education and training. The level of technical knowledge on wooden euro pallets is already extraordinarily high -- after all, it is the most used, sustainable cargo carrier worldwide. But personnel changes often mean that new colleagues need to undergo intensive training. EPAL ACADEMY imparts the required knowledge in a compact and practical manner. But even long-term, experienced personnel benefit from the seminars and can deepen their existing knowledge", explains Martin Leibrandt, CEO of EPAL.

The range of training courses, symposiums, seminars, colloquia and further education is intended for users of EPAL euro pallets from trade and industry, logistics experts, suppliers and licensed manufacturers and repairers. "I'm looking forward to the exciting task of pushing the transnational networking and intensive technical exchange ahead. The content of the training courses has been tailored precisely to the needs of users and licensees. Further education offers enormous potential for employees to become more efficient in their daily handling of pallets", says Alexander Becker, director of the EPAL ACADEMY.

One focus of the transfer of knowledge is training courses on issues of pallet use and pallet exchange. "This includes, for example, both material testing and sorting and recognising hidden damage, the correct use of material and correct labelling", explains Alexander Becker. The modular programme is set to be gradually supplemented with comprehensive training courses on wood qualities, sustainability, loading strategies, work safety and legal framework conditions, for example. Seminars on contractual issues as well as how to deal with pallet accounts and pallet receipts are also planned.

"The training courses will take place at the site in Düsseldorf and on site in all countries where EPAL is active. This also includes in-house training courses at users' sites", says Alexander Becker.

About EPAL:Founded in 1991, EPAL European Pallet Association is the umbrella organisation of licensed manufacturers and repairers of EPAL/EUR pallets and lattice boxes. Since 1 August 2013, EPAL has produced and overhauled euro pallets with the EPAL logo on four corner blocks under an exclusive licence. EPAL is globally responsible for the consistent quality of EPAL cargo carriers and utilises independent external quality testing for this purpose. EPAL is represented by national committees in 14 countries, who have undertaken to implement the EPAL objectives at national level.